[ LETTER ]

Unfair Health System Confiscates Rights, Freedoms and Money

Published: Friday, February 8, 2013 at 12:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 8, 2013 at 12:00 a.m.

In January, I ended with these words and today I start with: "Compassionate-feeling-based decisions and laws without reasoned thought always bear the fruit of unforeseen consequence. Be careful for what you wish."

On Jan. 25, an article in The Ledger from The Associated Press titled "Smokers Could Be Priced Out of Health Overhaul" again proved my point.

In 2010, some exhorted the compassion and virtue of the Affordable Care Act, how wonderful this compassionate new law would be. Yes, this was the answer to the unfair health system we have in the United States of America. Yes, without reading, discussing or any forethought the Democrats compassionately passed this more-than-2,000- page law.

The Associated Press article now points out that some who smoke could pay nearly $5,100 a year on top of their premiums. They also point out one in every five American adults smoke, and that share is higher among lower-income workers, who are more likely to work in jobs that don't come with health care.

Yes, with the Affordable Care Act, poor people, who, with their cigarette taxes fund Medicaid, also will pay more for their insurance. In an article printed on Jan. 27, The Associated Press also points out that those who smoke, live on average 10 years less than those who do not smoke. Therefore, it should be noted that would save the government more than $147,600 if they received the average Social Security payment of $1,230 a month. Is that not enough?

It should also be noted they probably, disproportionately buy more lottery tickets supporting the schools.

Yes, our rulers, no, I mean our representatives with compassionate-sounding, feel-good titles, passed another boondoggle law, and the sheep, the fish and the eloi of our citizenry will feel the overwhelming beckoning of governmental bell, siren and chum that calls them to the eventual slaughter of their rights, freedoms and confiscates their money.

<p>In January, I ended with these words and today I start with: "Compassionate-feeling-based decisions and laws without reasoned thought always bear the fruit of unforeseen consequence. Be careful for what you wish."</p><p>On Jan. 25, an article in The Ledger from The Associated Press titled "Smokers Could Be Priced Out of Health Overhaul" again proved my point.</p><p>In 2010, some exhorted the compassion and virtue of the Affordable Care Act, how wonderful this compassionate new law would be. Yes, this was the answer to the unfair health system we have in the United States of America. Yes, without reading, discussing or any forethought the Democrats compassionately passed this more-than-2,000- page law.</p><p>The Associated Press article now points out that some who smoke could pay nearly $5,100 a year on top of their premiums. They also point out one in every five American adults smoke, and that share is higher among lower-income workers, who are more likely to work in jobs that don't come with health care.</p><p>Yes, with the Affordable Care Act, poor people, who, with their cigarette taxes fund Medicaid, also will pay more for their insurance. In an article printed on Jan. 27, The Associated Press also points out that those who smoke, live on average 10 years less than those who do not smoke. Therefore, it should be noted that would save the government more than $147,600 if they received the average Social Security payment of $1,230 a month. Is that not enough?</p><p>It should also be noted they probably, disproportionately buy more lottery tickets supporting the schools.</p><p>Yes, our rulers, no, I mean our representatives with compassionate-sounding, feel-good titles, passed another boondoggle law, and the sheep, the fish and the eloi of our citizenry will feel the overwhelming beckoning of governmental bell, siren and chum that calls them to the eventual slaughter of their rights, freedoms and confiscates their money.</p><p>JIM POSMER</p><p>Polk City</p>